Morning journal and courier., 1887-10-13
THE NEW MASONIC HALL

Opened Last Night For the First Time A Reception to the Members of Wooster Lodge and Their Families and Frfends-TO be Formally Dedf- cated TO.NIsht.
 What will be termed the new Masonic Hall
 was thrown open to the members of Wooster | lodge last night. The hall is on the top floor | of the Massena Clark building at ST Church | street.
 The hall is model of convenience and is pronounced by the members to be far better ' and to possess greater facilities for conven- | fence than the old hall in Masonic Temple. When the lodge first went into this building what they took as their hall was nothing but | the whole expanse of the upper floor, with
 no facilities and nothing but the great white | walls to stare at them and to make their voices echo back and forth. The expense which has been entailed in making the re- pairs amounts to about $2,000, which is borne by most all of the Masonic bodies in the city.
 Wooster lodge held regular monthly meeting last night and the routine business was soon disposed of, for the members were anxious to show their families and friends the new Masonic rooms.
 The changes that have been made have di- vided the once large floor into several rooms there also being gallery. Going up the stairs at the rear end of the building and turning to the left one enters the hall. This is the outside entry, where are left the wraps of the members. The hall extends along the side of the building, there being two entries out of it into the main hall or where the regular business of the lodge is transacted. has been partitioned off on the front of the building facing Church street. The hallway is newly carpeted, is lined with hooks on which to hang hats and coats. It is very cosy, the ceiling being very low, as overhead has been placed the gallery, which runs the length of the building toward Church street. and just as it reaches the reception room it is cut off at right angles and then proceeds
 along the front of the building.
 The reception room is very pretty place
 with it's highly colored carpet and new walls. This will be used for banquetting purposes.
 as place where the long tables can be set. There are two closets connected with it un-
 der the gallery where are kept the dishes for these receptions. On the walls, tastefulIy
 arranged, are the pictures of the past grand
 masters. The room is lighted by chandelier
 in the center and by other lights around the
 sides of the room.
 In the regular lodge room last night were at
 least two hundred persons to listen to the
 programme of the reception. The main
 lodge room is the same as all like Masonic
 halls. It IS filled with all the paraphernRlia
 of the Masonic order. Instead of cold,
 large room it has been transformed into a
 cosy, bright one, made cheerful by the close
 ness of the surroundings and the little gal
 1ery along the two sides. Thanked on the
 rear of the main room are two rows of small
 closets for the storage of things, with a
 small hall running through them neatly car
 peted. There is also 8 small room to the right of the stairs which opens into the lodge room. The lodge room is lighted by an elegant chandelier.
 On the floor below is the eommanderv room and also two waiting rooms, or par. lors, all of which are nicely fitted up
 After the members and their friends had assembled in the main room Past Master Fred H. Waldron made the welcoming ad- dress. The New Haven Orchestral club played selection, and quartette composed of o. B. Matthewman, Frank LangdaIe. pr. Brinkman and E. A. Ender sang. Sylvanus Butler and Past Grand Master Eli s. Ouin- tard made remarks. The Orchestral club has been reorganized of late and last night made excellent music. The quartette also distinguished itself. Judge Dening was to have spoken, but was unexpectedly called away.
 Tonight the new hall will be formally dedicated by the officers of the Grand lodge l